Chennai: The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Saturday launched searches at multiple locations linked to former DMK minister and current Deputy Leader of the Opposition K.N. Nehru and his brother Ravichandran, triggering political tension in Tamil Nadu.
The searches, which began on Saturday morning, were being conducted at 19 locations, including properties in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli.
In Chennai, officials carried out searches at premises in Mylapore, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Anna Nagar and Abhiramapuram, among other areas.
Simultaneously, Anti-Corruption Bureau personnel arrived in four vehicles at K.N. Nehru’s residence in Thillai Nagar in Tiruchirappalli and began searching the house and other properties linked to him.
Properties connected to his brother Ravichandran were also covered in the operation. K.N. Nehru, who was away when the searches began, returned to his Thillai Nagar residence after receiving information about the raids.
The development drew a large number of DMK functionaries and supporters to the area.
Former minister Anbil Mahesh and other senior DMK members were among those who reached his residence.
Tension prevailed outside the house as party workers gathered in large numbers while the searches continued inside the premises.
The latest operation comes after agencies including the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate had earlier conducted searches at locations associated with K.N. Nehru and Ravichandran in connection with allegations involving irregularities in the award of tenders.
Saturday’s searches by the state anti-corruption authorities have now added a fresh dimension to the investigations surrounding the former minister and his associates.
Officials continued examining the premises and documents as part of the operation. The timing of the searches has also attracted considerable political attention as they are taking place while the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is in session.
K.N. Nehru, a senior DMK leader and former minister, currently holds the important position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
With searches simultaneously covering several properties in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli, the action has created a political stir, with further details on seizures or documents recovered during the operation awaited from the authorities.
(IANS)
